City of Warrenville City Council met Nov. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. OPENING CEREMONIES
A. Roll Call
Present: Ald. Stu Aschauer, Clare Barry, Fred Bevier, Kathy Davolos, Leah Goodman, Jeff Krischel, Bill Weidner, and Robert Wilson
Absent: Mayor David Brummel
Also Present: City Administrator John Coakley, Assistant City Administrator Cristina White, Finance Director Kevin Dahlstrand, Community and Economic Development Director Ron Mentzer, Deputy Public Works Director Phil Kuchler, Police Chief Ray Turano, Treasurer Larry Brenner, Attorney Brooke Lenneman, and City Clerk Emily Larson
Also Absent: None
Mayor Pro-Tem
ALD. DAVOLOS MOVED, second by Ald. Wilson, to appoint Ald. Barry as Mayor Pro-Tem for tonight's meeting.
C. Pledge of Allegiance
D. Proclamation: - School Board Members Day
Mayor Pro-Tem Barry proclaimed November 15, 2019, as School Board Members Day in Warrenville as a way to honor those citizens who devote so much of their time and energy for the education of our children.
II. CITIZENS COMMENTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Barry explained guidelines for citizen's comments. City Administrator Coakley added that the State of Illinois already legalized recreational cannabis effective January 1, 2020. The City may allow or not allow certain recreational cannabis businesses, and limit the locations and hours.
Vivian Lund, Haylet Avenue, asked the City to consider hiring a landscape architect to re do the City Hall and Veterans Memorial landscaping. She said it's time to upgrade the plantings because they are 20 years old and are starting to die off.
Bob Siebert, Albright Court, said the question the City should be asking regarding allowing recreational cannabis businesses is “what impact would a recreational cannabis business have on the residents and surrounding businesses in our community”.
Jack Grodoski expressed his concern regarding allowing recreational cannabis in Warrenville and how it might change our image.
Kate Baer said her parents have taught her that drugs are not good and to not use them. She said she does not want to make it available in Warrenville.
Mike Baer, Townline Road, said his concern is with the added impaired drivers on our roads and said the tax revenue is not worth losing a life. He said research shows that property crimes increase, along with more traffic accidents.
Annette Voss, Maplewood Court, said she is against having a recreational cannabis business in Warrenville. She said studies show that underage use increases and the revenue is not worth the risk to residents' health.
Lisa Baer, Townline Road, said Warrenville needs to maintain our wholesome image.
OFFICIALS AND STAFF COMMENTS
A. Mayor
Commission Openings
Mayor Pro-tem Barry announced that there is a volunteer opening on the Plan Commission for Ward 3. Anyone interested should email Mayor Brummel at david.brummel@warrenville.il.us.
B. Clerk
District 200 Food Pantry Truck
Clerk Larson announced that School District 200 has a food pantry truck during the months of June through November. The truck will be at Compass Church, 520 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, on November 23, 2019. Anyone in need of food supplies is welcome.
Bower Rock-athon
Clerk Larson said the students at Bower Elementary have painted rocks with sayings of encouragement, smilie faces, and birds, and have placed them around the City.
Storm Damage Clerk Larson announced that residents who have had tree damage from the recent snow storm can place the branches at the curb and call City Hall for a special pick up.
Treasurer Legal Cannabis Treasurer Brenner noted that cannabis is still illegal at the Federal level.
D. Aldermen
Veterans Day Ceremony
Ald. Goodman invited everyone to the Veteran's Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11, at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will take place at the Veteran's Memorial located at the intersection of Stafford Place and Warren Avenue.
Condolences
Ald. Bevier expressed his condolences to the family of Tom Fox.
E. Administrator
Condolences
City Administrator Coakley expressed the City's condolences to the family of Tom Fox, who passed away on October 28, 2019. Tom was 20 year employee in the City and retired in 1996. He was a volunteer Police Officer and the coordinator for ESDA.
Job Opening
City Administrator Coakley announced that the position of Fleet Management Technician will be posted and applications are available at City Hall.
F. Attorney
No report
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Items to be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion:
VI. C. Removed by Ald. Davolos for discussion
ALD. WEIDNER MOVED, second by Ald. Wilson, to approve the items on the agenda for the November 4, 2019, City Council regular meeting, as amended.
MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ALD. WEIDNER MOVED, second by Ald. Wilson, to approve: A. Minutes of the October 21, 2019, City Council regular meeting B. Minutes of the October 21, 2019, City Council closed session meeting
MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE
VI. CONSENT AGENDA - OMNIBUS VOTE
A. Accept Senior Civil Engineer Hocking's recommendation and pass resolution R2019-48, approving the reduction of the public improvements security cash bond for the Warrenville Grove Animal Hospital project and placing the project into the two-year maintenance period
B. Accept Senior Civil Engineer Hocking's recommendation and pass resolution R2019-49, accepting the public improvements associated with the Chuy's project, releasing the security cash bond, and waiving the project's two-year maintenance period requirement
C. Removed by Ald. Davolos for discussion
D. Accept staff recommendation and approve the retirement agreement between the City of Warrenville and Mark Leonard
E. Receive and file minutes of the Environmental Advisory Commission regular meeting held on September 25, 2019
F. Receive and file minutes of the Police Pension Board regular meeting held on July 23, 2019 and special meeting held on September 10, 2019
G. Receive and file minutes of the Board of Fire and Police Commission regular meeting held on August 27, 2019
H. Receive and file draft minutes of the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals regular meeting held on October 24, 2019
I. Receive and file report of invoices paid up to October 23, 2019, in the amount of $117,768.45
J. Authorize expenditures for invoices due on or before November 18, 2019, in the amount of $589,005.16
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Aye: Ald. Barry, Goodman, Weidner, Krischel, Bevier, Davolos, Aschauer, and Wilson
Nay: None
MOTION ADOPTED
VI. C Recreational Cannabis Businesses
ALD. KRISCHEL MOVED, second by Ald. Goodman, to accept Plan Commission recommendation and direct the Community Development Committee to consider Zoning Ordinance text amendments that would permit and regulate certain recreational cannabis businesses.
Discussion: Ald. Davolos asked for some clarification on the motion. Director Mentzer said the motion is to accept Plan Commission recommendation to permit and regulate certain recreational cannabis businesses in Warrenville and to have further discussion at the next Community Development Committee on November 11, 2019. He said the Plan Commission vote was seven aye and one nay. The Plan commission also recommended approval of the Zoning Ordinance text amendments reflected in the proposed City cannabis related zoning ordinance amendments framework document, updated on October 17, 2019, that has a detailed framework, narrow focus, and limited locations. He noted there would be a public hearing as required and only one business would be allowed.
Ald. Davolos said the vote tonight is not for implementation but questioned how much more time staff would have to spend on this issue. Director Mentzer said staff has already spent the bulk of time needed for this issue before it was placed before the Plan Commission. He noted that there are already regulations in place for medical cannabis and now an adjustment must be made to include recreational cannabis. He said the staff report is on the City's website or residents can request a copy at City Hall.
Ald. Davolos said she struggles with all the information but must separate her personal feelings with what the State already has passed. She noted that cannabis will always be available even if there is not a business in Warrenville. She wonders what would be the effect on City services.
Ald. Aschauer said the recommendation from the Plan Commission indicates support and the motion would be to opt in. Attorney Lenneman said the motion is to refer further discussion to the next Community Development Committee.
Ald. Barry noted the motion is to allow for further discussion at the November 11 Community Development Committee meeting and provide another chance for residents to make comments.
Ald. Bevier said there should have been more discussion before placing this on the Council agenda.
Attorney Lenneman reiterated that there will be further discussion at the November 11th Community Development Committee meeting.
Ald. Wilson noted that the Plan Commission has provided the Council with seven exhibits for possible locations that will help the Council. He said it is better to have another opportunity for discussion and he will be voting yes on the motion.
Ald. Goodman said the maps are very helpful but questioned why Cantera was included. Director Mentzer said Cantera is a Special District with a set of specific control regulations that apply to that defines uses within Cantera. If the Council wants to consider that land, the original PUD would have to be modified. The City would hold a public hearing which entails contacting every business in Cantera via certified mail and everyone land owner within 250 feet from the property. He said this would be very time consuming and costly. He added this does not need to be done before January 1, 2020, the City need to amend the code first.
Ald. Krischel asked if the maps include medical cannabis businesses. Director Mentzer replied medical cannabis is included in the ordinance, but the regulations related to medical cannabis are specified by Statute.
Ald. Weidner asked if the medical distribution can be under the same roof as the recreational cannabis. Director Mentzer said yes, but then both the recreational and medical cannabis dispensaries must comply with the recreational business plan. So there would be no conflict. He did say the proposed recreational cannabis code would be more constrictive.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Aye: Ald. Davolos, Krischel, Weidner, Wilson, Barry, and Goodman
Nay: Ald. Aschauer and Bevier
MOTION ADOPTED
VII. REGULAR AGENDA
None
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
IX. NEW BUSINESS
None
CLOSED SESSION
ALD. KRISCHEL MOVED, second by Ald. Bevier, to enter into Closed Session to discuss:
5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Aye: Ald. Barry, Weidner, Krischel, Wilson, Aschauer, Goodman, Bevier, and Davolos
Nay: None
MOTION ADOPTED
The same members of the Council returned to open session at 8:40 p.m.
XI. ADJOURN ALD. WILSON MOVED, second by Ald. Weidner, to adjourn.
MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE
The regular Council meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
https://www.warrenville.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11042019-800
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